RECEPTION EVENTS:

GRAND ENTRANCE:  The bridal party is announced upon entering the reception area.  Bridesmaids and groomsmen usually enter in couples in the same order as they came into the wedding with maid of honor and best man entering just before the Bride and Groom.  Flower girls and ringbearers are also announced, usually first or with bridal party couples.

TOAST:  Immediately after the meal, champagne is poured and the Bride and Groom are toasted.  First toast is done by either the best man or maid of honor followed by other members of the bridal party and possibly parents.  IMPORTANT...let the best man and maid of honor know in advance that they are expected to give a toast so that they can have something prepared.  The toast is followed directly by...

BRIDE AND GROOM'S FIRST DANCE:  Be sure you have checked with the DJ before the reception to be certain he has your first dance song...I have heard more than one story of a DJ not having the first dance song.  Also, if you and your partner are out on the dance floor and the song seems to go on and on, give the DJ the "look" and he will fade the song out.

FATHER/DAUGHTER and MOTHER/SON DANCES:  These come directly after the first dance.  It has become popular to combine the father/daughter and mother/son into one dance.  The bride and her father are announced and begin the dance.  After a few minutes the groom and his mother are also announced and join the bride and father on the floor.  A "couples in love" slow song is then played to begin a short period of dancing before the rest of the activities.

CAKE CUTTING:  After just 2-3 dance songs the cake should be cut. 

BOUQUET/GARTER TOSS:  Approximately 10 minutes after the cake cutting the DJ announces the bouquet toss and gets all unmarried ladies out to the floor.  Bouquet is tossed on the count of three.  The groom then tosses the garter to the single men.  It is customary for the two persons who caught the bouquet and garter to dance with each other.

DOLLAR DANCE:  (optional) This is the last scheduled event.  Guests form two lines formed by the maid of honor and the best man who also collect the money.  Guests are then sent out to the floor to dance with the bride or groom.  Three to five slow songs are played until all the guests have had a chance to dance.  The dollar dance is a great way to thank everyone personally for coming to your wedding, especially if you chose not to do a receiving line.

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RECEPTION EVENTS SAMPLE TIMELINE:

It is important to create an events timeline so the DJ can coordinate with the reception manager/banquet captain and the photographer.   Here is a sample time line for a four hour reception:

5:00  Reception begins, hors d'ouvres

5:45  Bridal party introduced

6:00  Dinner begins

6:50  Toasts

7:00  First dance, F/D dance, M/S dance, "couples in love" dance

7:20  Cake cutting

7:35  Bouquet/garter toss

7:45  Money dance

8:00  Open dancing

9:00  Last song, goodbyes and congratulations